Tennis Insider Club

Caroline Garcia & Borja Duran
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Sep 22, 2025 • 1h 11min

E37 - Justine Henin

At just 1m65, Justine Henin defied all odds to become World No.1 and win 7 Grand Slam titles. Behind the elegant one-handed backhand and the trophies, her story is one of resilience, loss, and an unshakable belief in herself.In this intimate conversation on Tennis Insider Club, Henin opens up about:Growing up in a small Belgian town and finding her place in the family after tragedy.The role of her brothers, father, and late mother in shaping her character.Why she resisted pressure to change her iconic one-handed backhand.The painful years after losing her mother at 12, and how tennis became both an escape and a fight.Her complicated relationship with her father and the courage to leave home at 17 to pursue her dream.What it really takes to beat bigger, stronger opponents like Serena & Venus Williams.The pressures of early success, burnout, and why she retired at 25.Why she believes academies and parents must work together to protect kids from becoming “broken players.”Life after tennis: motherhood, running her academy, and finding happiness outside the spotlight.🎙 Hosted by Caroline Garcia & Borja Durán👉 Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations with the world’s best players and coaches.📲 Follow us for behind-the-scenes & clips: Instagram: @tennisinsiderclub Twitter/X: @tennisinsidercl#JustineHenin #Tennis #WTA #GrandSlamChampion #TennisPodcast #UsOpen #LaverCup #ATP #RolandGarros Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Sep 8, 2025 • 1h 5min

E36 - Bianca Andreescu

She won the US Open at 19… then came injuries, pressure, and doubt. But Bianca Andreescu is still fighting—with powerful resilience—to return to the top.In this powerful episode of Tennis Insider Club, Bianca opens up like never before. She shares the emotional weight of early success, the loneliness of repeated setbacks, and the inner work she’s done to rediscover her purpose. From visualizing her US Open win years before it happened, to nearly quitting the sport during a dark mental health spiral, Bianca's story is raw, inspiring, and deeply human.Keywords: Bianca Andreescu interview, tennis mental health, US Open champion, tennis comeback, tennis podcastHighlights:06:45 – 2019: The Year Everything Clicked12:23 – “I Was Done With Tennis”18:10 – Therapy, Spirituality & the Journey Inward25:38 – Redefining Success After Hitting Rock Bottom32:17 – Lessons from Losing—and Learning to Let Go39:05 – The Comeback: Playing With Joy Again44:31 – Advice to the Next Gen: “Don’t Rush Your Path”48:52 – New Season, New IntentionsEnjoyed this episode? Watch next: 🎙️ Ben Shelton: Rising a Champion the Right Way → E35: Bryan Shelton🎙️ Jessica Pegula on Late Blooming & Mental Resilience → E34: Jessica PegulaFollow us on Instagram: instagram.com/tennisinsiderclub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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32 snips
Aug 25, 2025 • 1h 10min

E35 - Bryan Shelton

What does it take to raise and coach a Grand Slam quarterfinalist? In this Tennis Insider Club episode, Bryan Shelton — former ATP pro, champion college coach, and father of rising star Ben Shelton — opens up about the unique challenges of guiding your own child through tennis.From growing up in Alabama to facing Boris Becker at Wimbledon, Bryan shares the lessons that shaped his career… and the philosophy that keeps his son grounded in a high-pressure sport.We discuss:The dangers of over-involved tennis parentsWhy mental skills matter more than strokes at the top levelHow to balance joy, discipline, and performanceThe difference between European and American confidence mindsetsWhy sometimes you have to “fake” confidence until you feel itBest Moments:[00:01:03] The Day Bryan Shelton Fell in Love with Tennis[00:03:00] Why He Chose College Over Turning Pro at 18[00:07:30] Facing Becker and Connors in His First Grand Slams[00:10:00] Breaking Into the Top 100: A Pro’s First Goal[00:11:00] Wimbledon 1994: His Greatest Memory on Tour[00:14:00] From Player to Coach: Bryan’s Second Career[00:17:00] How Ben Shelton Finally Chose Tennis at 11[00:23:30] Ben’s Secret Weapon: Relentless Confidence[00:27:10] The Three Tournament Rule Every Young Player Needs[00:43:00] Balancing Dad and Coach on the Pro Tour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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5 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 1h 7min

E34 - Jessica Pegula

Jessica Pegula opens up like never before — from starting tennis at age 7, to dealing with pressure from her parents, to overcoming years of injuries and finally breaking into the top of the game in her mid-20s. In this candid conversation, we talk about finding your own path in tennis, the mental battles of the tour, handling media expectations, and why making her own decisions changed everything.🎙 Hosted by Caroline Garcia & Borja Duran — Tennis Insider Club.🎧 Listen on: Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6Vcjpr6Vj8UO5bbz9NWRDo Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/tennis-insider-club/id1664385813💡 Episode sponsor — Saily eSIMs: Stay connected anywhere in the world with Saily — the easiest way to get mobile data without roaming fees. 🌍 Get 15% OFF here: https://www.saily.com/tennisinsiderChapters: 00:01:08 – How Jessica started tennis00:09:36 – College vs turning pro; “I hated school” vibe00:11:06 – Breaking Top 100 after injuries; relief at ~2500:13:19 – “Own journey” mindset; using peers as motivation00:21:23 – “I make every decision now” — taking ownership00:31:01 – Managing your team like a business; lessons from family00:36:30 – Burnout, perspective reset, and handling losses00:50:41 – Slowing down to appreciate wins; “the dream is the journey”00:54:14 – How long she’ll play; LA Olympics carrot, 35 cap Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Aug 7, 2025 • 54min

E33 - Bob Moran

In this exclusive Tennis Insider Club episode, Caroline Garcia and Borja Durán sit down with Bob Moran, the mastermind behind the transformation of the Cincinnati Open. From his surprising start in golf to leading a $260M tennis revolution, Bob reveals what it really takes to run a Masters 1000 tournament, the financial truth behind the WTA vs ATP debate, and why pickleball and concerts matter more than you think.💥 Topics covered:Why they bet $260M on CincinnatiBehind-the-scenes of player experienceFinancials: ATP vs WTA realitiesThe future of doubles & mixed eventsShould the tours merge?Building a year-round racquet clubWhy scheduling is a war zone🧠 One of the most honest and insightful looks at how tennis really works behind the scenes. This one’s for every player, fan, and entrepreneur in sport.⏱️ Top Moments[00:01:49] From Golf to Tennis[00:09:10] The $260M Bet on Cincinnati[00:13:55] How to Design a World-Class Tournament[00:19:42] The Hard Truth About WTA vs ATP Money[00:26:18] Scheduling Is a War Zone[00:29:36] Should the Tours Merge?[00:33:52] Why Pickleball & Concerts Matter[00:39:45] The Future of Doubles and Mixed Events[00:47:40] What It Takes to Succeed in Sports Business[00:54:29] The One Thing He’d Change About Tennis👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insider tennis stories.#TennisInsiderClub #BobMoran #CincyOpen #CarolineGarcia #WTA #ATP #SportsBusiness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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7 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 1h 1min

E32 - Wim Fissette

Wim Fissette never dreamed of becoming a top coach — until a chance call from Kim Clijsters changed his life forever. In this raw and honest conversation, Wim opens up about his unlikely journey, coaching legends like Iga Świątek, Naomi Osaka, and Kim, and what it really takes to help players win at the highest level.This episode is a goldmine for coaches, parents, and players who want to understand tennis beyond technique — from communication and data to confidence, mindset, and long-term growth.⏱ Best Moments00:00 – 🎙 "Dare to dream." Wim’s life philosophy and why belief is everything03:00 – ⚖️ Quitting tennis at 20 and shifting to a logistics career10:30 – 📞 The call from Kim Clijsters that changed his life12:30 – 🛫 Quitting his job to follow a coaching dream16:30 – 📊 Bringing data to WTA coaching before it was mainstream20:30 – 📓 The power of journaling and taking ownership of your tennis28:00 – 🧠 Coaching Iga Świątek vs. other players – knowing when to evolve34:30 – 🏋️‍♀️ Why physical readiness is key to technical improvement38:20 – 🏀 Top advice for young players: diversify, don’t specialize too soon48:00 – 🧠 Mental strength under pressure — and why it must be trainedSpecial Thanks to Our Sponsor – SAILYNever land without internet again.Saily is the eSIM app (from the creators of NordVPN) that gives you mobile data in over 190 countries — no roaming fees, no SIM cards, no hassle.💸 Get 15% OFF your first data plan with code TENNISINSIDER📲 Download the app or visit: https://saily.com/tennisinsider🙌 Subscribe to Tennis Insider Club for exclusive conversations with the world’s top players and coaches.📸 Follow us on Instagram @TennisInsiderClub for behind-the-scenes content and guest clips. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jul 14, 2025 • 1h 1min

E31 - Emil Ruusuvuori

What happens when your childhood dream becomes your worst nightmare?In this raw, emotional conversation, Finnish tennis star Emil Ruusuvuori opens up about his four-year battle with panic attacks, burnout, and depression — including breaking down during matches and questioning the meaning of life. From rising through the ranks to cracking the Top 50, to walking away from the sport he once loved, Emil shares what no press conference ever showed.Best Moments: [00:04:35] “I just couldn’t breathe… My body shut down”[00:08:20] “I didn’t care anymore if I won or lost”[00:11:45] “Life didn’t matter at that point”[00:17:10] “You lose your identity when you stop playing”[00:23:40] “Everyone says you’re living the dream… but it felt like hell”[00:30:15] “I started therapy—and finally, I could breathe”[00:37:05] “I had to re-learn who I am without tennis”[00:41:50] “We’re not machines… even if we’re ranked Top 50”[00:48:25] “Now I’m building something new. For the first time, I feel excited.”[00:53:40] “If this helps even one person, I’m glad I shared it.”This is not just a sports episode. It’s a story about mental health, identity, and what it means to be enough.This episode is brought to you by NordVPN. Get a exclusive discount here: nordvpn.com/tennisinsider Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jun 30, 2025 • 1h 6min

E30 - Brad Gilbert

Brad Gilbert, a legendary coach and former world #4, shares his insights from coaching tennis stars like Andre Agassi and Coco Gauff. He reveals the stark differences between coaching styles for top players and discusses the dangers of overcoaching. Gilbert dives into the crucial role parents play in a young athlete's journey and how the right mindset can change careers. Plus, he shares wild stories from his own experiences, including a memorable match against Caroline Garcia that shaped his coaching philosophy. No fluff—just real insights!
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Jun 15, 2025 • 53min

E29 - Taylor Fritz

Taylor Fritz opens up like never before. From growing up with a “crazy” tennis dad to breaking down in locker rooms and reinventing his game to win Indian Wells, this episode dives deep into the raw, real side of pro tennis.In this exclusive interview, Taylor shares:✅ His most emotional locker room moment✅ The “delusional” belief that got him to the top✅ Why he quit FIFA after breaking 4 controllers✅ How watching junior tapes changed his forehand — and his career✅ His unfiltered opinion on on-court coaching in tennis✅ What it’s really like growing up with two tennis pro parentsThis is not just for tennis fans — it’s for anyone chasing greatness.⏱️ Chapters:05:20 – Early Competitiveness & Training Routines12:10 – Learning to Handle Pressure & Expectations26:00 – FIFA Rage & Broken Controllers33:40 – Why He’s Against On-Court Coaching36:30 – Rewatching Junior Forehand Before Indian Wells40:30 – Delusional Belief in Going Pro48:30 – Locker Room Breakdown After Turning Pro51:00 – Advice to His Younger Self & Final ThoughtsSubscribe for more powerful stories from the biggest names in tennis.#TaylorFritz #TennisPodcast #IndianWells #MentalToughness #ATP #TennisLife #TennisMindsetThis episode is brought to you by Saily, the brand offering eSIM data for international travel. Get a 15% discount using code tennis insider at checkout. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Jun 1, 2025 • 40min

E28 - Ana Ivanovic

"I wish I enjoyed it more." In this raw and honest conversation, Ana Ivanovic opens up like never before — from winning Roland Garros at 19, to battling pressure, burnout, and the emotional cost of fame. This is the side of tennis the cameras never show.In this exclusive episode, Ana shares:* Her childhood in war-torn Serbia and early rise to tennis stardom* The truth behind her sudden retirement at just 29* Why mental health and balance are still taboo in women’s tennis* Her biggest regrets, and the advice she'd give her 15-year-old selfIf you're a fan of tennis, mindset, or untold athlete stories — this one's for you.[00:06:30 – 00:07:30]➔ Winning Roland Garros at 19[00:08:00 – 00:10:30]➔ The Hidden Pressure After Success[00:12:00 – 00:13:00]➔ Realization About Public Opinion[00:14:00 – 00:15:30]➔ Mental Health in Tennis — 15 Years Too Early[00:19:00 – 00:20:30]➔ Playing with a Broken Toe[00:24:00 – 00:25:30]➔ Life in a Tennis Bubble[00:30:00 – 00:31:00]➔ Why She Never Wanted Her Kids to Go Pro[00:36:30 – 00:37:30]➔ Advice to Her Younger SelfThis episode is brought to you by Haier, the leading home appliances brand, and official sponsor of Roland Garros.👇 Tell us in the comments: What part of Ana’s journey surprised you most?🔔 Subscribe for more honest tennis stories: 📸 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes: instagram.com/tennisinsiderclub#AnaIvanovic #TennisPodcast #MentalHealth #RolandGarros #WTA #AthleteStories #Burnout #WomenInSport #TennisInsiderClub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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